Written Answers Tuesday 11 December 2007

Scottish Executive

Bridges

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions the Erskine Bridge has been closed to traffic in each year since tolls were removed; whether there has been any increase in the number or duration of closures in that period compared with each of the previous five years, and what explanation there may be for any change in the pattern of closures.

Stewart Stevenson: The number of occasions when the Erskine Bridge has been closed to all types of traffic since 1 April 2001 because of severe weather conditions is set out in the following table:

  

 Year
 No. of Closures
 Dates and Times of Closures


 2001
 0
 


 2002
 1
 28 January– no times available


 2003
 1
 28 January- 06.00 to 09.55 


 2004
 0
 -


 2005
 2
11 January 19.45 to 12 January 20.00 11 November 15.20 to 12 November 07.00


 2006
 3
1 April – tolls removed 26 October 14.30 to 17.30 3 December 19.00 to
4 December 14.30 31 December 20.00 to 1 January 06.00


 2007
 4
3 January 23.00 to 4 January 14.0010 January 23.00 to 12 January 01.30
13 January 15.30 to 14 January 03.00 8 November 07.50 to 9 November 03.00



  Amey Infrastructure Services took over full inspection, management and maintenance responsibility for the bridge, as part of the trunk road network, when tolls were abolished on 1 April 2006. Decisions to close the bridge, solely for the safety of users, are taken in accordance with the severe weather procedures laid down in the Bridge Operations Manual. Amey receive Met Office five-day and 24-hour weather forecasts, specific to the Erskine area. When severe conditions are forecast these are supplemented by immediate "Storm" or "Gale" warnings to which Amey have the facility to seek "real time" updates. An anemometer located on the bridge deck transmits continuous wind-speed data to Amey’s Operational Control Room. Amey’s engineering and meteorological assessments are then subject to liaison with Strathclyde Police. The outcome may be a formal decision to close the bridge, wholly or in part, under the authority of the Chief Constable. Agreed wind-speed thresholds are 45mph for crosswinds and 60mph for head/tail winds.

  The traffic management for the closure process takes nearly two hours to implement fully and about one hour to remove, with priority given to the immediate approaches then the M8/M898 on the south side of the river. The police, Traffic Scotland and media are advised when a closure is imminent and when it is expected to be lifted and are regularly updated where an incident may be protracted.

  The criteria for weather-related closures have not changed since tolls were removed but new and more accurate wind measuring and data recording equipment became operational from early October 2006. Prior to then, there was no data record of actual wind speeds on the bridge and readings were noted manually from dial gauges showing speed and direction, located in the bridge administration offices. For this reason, no comparison can be made between closures, pre and post abolition of tolls. However, each closure can be directly related to independently documented (Met. Office) records.

  In order to minimise the disruption caused by closures of the bridge, strategic signs on approach routes are being installed. These will include warnings specific to high-sided vehicles which will allow the phased closure to certain classes of vehicles when appropriate.

Child Care

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it plans to allocate to out-of-school child care in each year to 2011.

Adam Ingram: For 2007-08, a Grant Aided Expenditure assessment of £44.556 million for the Childcare Strategy, including out-of-school child care was allocated to local authorities.

  We will continue to work in partnership with local government partners to drive forward our child care priorities. For future years, this funding will be included within the overall local government finance settlement. It will be the responsibility of each local authority, in conjunction with their Community Planning Partners, to allocate the funding on the basis of their local needs and priorities – taking into account their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities, including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments. Further details on these new arrangements can be found in the Scottish Budget Report and related Concordat with local government. Copies of both documents are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 44076 and 44077 respectively).

Child Care

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on out-of-school child care in the last budget period.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is not held centrally. For the period 2007-08, a Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) assessment of £44.556 million was made to support the child care strategy, which includes out-of-school care and other forms of child care. Child care strategy GAE is not ring-fenced and therefore local authorities have discretion to vary expenditure to reflect local needs. Expenditure Information received from the local authorities does not include separate data on child care, including out of school child care.

Child Care

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding exists for child care workforce development in its budget.

Adam Ingram: In financial year 2007-08 the Scottish Government made available £6 million for early years and child care workforce development. From April 2008, this funding will be absorbed into the local government finance settlement to give local authorities more flexibility to meet both local needs and the national outcomes in the concordat.

Child Care

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a legal requirement for childcare workforce development.

Adam Ingram: The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (the act) established the Care Commission to register and inspect all services regulated under the act, including day care of children services. When registering and inspecting services it will take account of national care standards. These include ensuring services have in place an effective system for identifying and monitoring staff development needs.

  The act also established the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as the regulatory body of the social service workforce. In order to register, workers must have, or be working towards specified qualifications for their role.

Child Care

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor progress on the Workforce Development Fund for early years and childcare services.

Adam Ingram: This funding will be absorbed into the main local government settlement for 2008-09 and beyond. We will not be monitoring separately, instead we will receive a single annual report from local government as agreed within the concordat.

Child Care

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to monitor progress towards the acquisition of professional qualifications for the early years and child care workforce.

Adam Ingram: Qualification levels of the early years and child care workforce are included as part of our annual pre-school and child care census. Statistics are published on the Scottish Government website.

Child Care

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support out-of-school care and ensure that children can access quality school age child care.

Adam Ingram: The Childcare Strategy aims to ensure that there is sufficient child care available for children in all areas of Scotland. This strategy remains in place and will continue to support child care, including out-of-school care. In addition, the Early Years Strategy, to be developed jointly with local government partners and other interests, will cover pre-birth to age eight years and the majority of out-of-school services will therefore fall within its scope.

Child Welfare

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what costs were involved in the conduct of the investigation into historical institutional abuse in the care sector by the independent expert, Tom Shaw, and the preparation and publication of the findings of that investigation.

Adam Ingram: The total cost, including publication, of all aspects of the independent Historical Abuse Systemic Review: Residential Schools and Children’s Homes in Scotland 1950-1995 from its establishment in August 2005 until 6 December 2007 is £295,578.69.

Council Tax

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor the impact of any freeze in council tax on household income inequality.

John Swinney: As part of our commitment to the 2017 Solidarity target we will be monitoring changes in income inequality and developing an understanding of their causes.

Culture

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the full programme of events planned for Homecoming Scotland.

Jim Mather: A programme of events and activities for Homecoming Scotland is currently being worked up by the Homecoming Scotland team and potential partner organisations. As the programme develops, information will be released, but the team are working to a spring 2008 target to develop and publicise a full Homecoming programme. This will form the basis of the marketing campaign for Homecoming Scotland, which will gain momentum from Burns Night 2008.

Culture

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Highlands and Islands Enterprise will retain its role in relation to the creative industries or whether that role and responsibility will transfer to Creative Scotland when it is established.

Jim Mather: Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) works closely with creative industries, integrating cultural and economic development through a programme of access to support and services. HIE will retain this role, notwithstanding the establishment of Creative Scotland.

Culture

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it will provide to the Robert Burns World Federation to support its activities in relation to the 2009 Year of Homecoming.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government agreed in September 2005 to provide funding to support the Robert Burns World Federation in relation to Homecoming Scotland in 2009. Total funding of £100,000 is being provided over a five year period.

Culture

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the list of signature events planned as part of the 2009 Year of Homecoming.

Jim Mather: A programme of events for Homecoming Scotland, including signature events, is currently being worked up by the Homecoming Scotland team and events organisers. Taking into account that the budget for this was confirmed in November 2007, the team are working to a spring 2008 deadline to have a complete programme in place. The "Gathering" has already been announced as one of the signature events in the 2009 programme. As the programme develops, information will be released, but the aim is to develop a full programme by spring 2008 to ensure that the Homecoming Scotland team will meet the deadlines to enable the marketing message to reach the international market. The marketing campaign for Homecoming Scotland will gain momentum from Burns Night 2008 onwards.

Culture

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the list of partner events planned as part of the 2009 Year of Homecoming.

Jim Mather: A programme of partner events and activities for Homecoming Scotland is currently being worked up by the Homecoming Scotland team and potential partner organisations. As the programme develops, information will be released, but the team are working to a spring 2008 deadline to have a complete programme in place. This will enable the team to meet deadlines to enable the marketing message to reach the international market. The marketing campaign for Homecoming Scotland will gain momentum from Burns Night 2008 onwards.

Culture

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce details of the rolling year programme of activity for the 2009 Year of Homecoming referred to in EventScotland’s press release of 27 November 2007.

Jim Mather: A rolling programme of events and activities for Homecoming Scotland is currently being worked up by the Homecoming Scotland team and potential partner organisations. As the programme develops, information will be released, but the spring 2008 target for a full Homecoming programme will ensure that the Homecoming Scotland team will meet deadlines to deliver the message to the international market. The marketing campaign for Homecoming Scotland will gain momentum from Burns Night 2008.

Deaf and Hearing Impaired People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaf children aged 18 or under there are in Scotland.

Shona Robison: The information requested is not held centrally.

  The National Deaf Children’s Society estimates that there are approximately 3,000 deaf children in Scotland:  http://www.rnid.org.uk/information_resources/factsheets/deaf_awareness/factsheets_leaflets/?ciid=306992.

Deaf and Hearing Impaired People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaf children aged 18 or under have been recorded as living in Scotland in each year since 1999.

Shona Robison: The information requested is not held centrally.

  I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7117 on 11 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Education

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what dialogue it has had with the board of the Scottish Funding Council following the announcement of the funding settlement for universities in the spending review.

Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Government officials from the Lifelong Learning Directorate provided a briefing to the full Council on Friday 23 November 2007.

Emergency Planning

Nigel Don (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will make available to emergency planning strategic co-ordinating groups so that they can continue to lead improvements in civil protection capabilities.

Kenny MacAskill: The eight strategic coordinating groups across Scotland have a crucial role to play in ensuring that the duties imposed by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 are taken forward in their areas. The Scottish Government is committed to providing appropriate support to enable the groups to effectively co-ordinate the work of responders, including police, fire, health, local authority and other organisations. The Scottish Government will therefore continue to fund co-ordinator posts in each of the eight strategic co-ordinating group areas for the next three financial years.

Employment

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated number of teleworkers was in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Jim Mather: Teleworkers are defined as people who work at home and require the use of both a telephone and computer to carry out their work. Table 1 shows the estimates of the number of teleworkers in Scotland in each of the last 3 years.

  The estimates are taken from a statistical survey and may be subject to a degree of sampling variation.

  Table 1 Teleworkers in Scotland, 2005-07

  

 Year
 Number of Teleworkers


 2005
 97,000


 2006
 130,000


 2007
 141,000



  Source: Labour Force Survey, April to June quarters.

  Note: 1. Data are rounded to the nearest thousand and are not seasonally adjusted.

Employment

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated number of teleworkers was in (a) Dundee, (b) Angus and (c) Aberdeenshire in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Jim Mather: Teleworkers are defined as people who work at home and require the use of both a telephone and computer to carry out their work. Estimates of teleworkers are taken from the Labour Force Survey. However, the estimates of the number of teleworkers in Dundee, Angus and Aberdeenshire are below reliability thresholds.

Employment

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, people were long-term unemployed in each local authority area in the Lothians parliamentary region on the most recent date for which figures are available.

John Swinney: The Claimant Count gives the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits and is produced by the Office for National Statistics.

  Table 1 shows the number of long-term unemployed people claiming unemployment related benefits in each local authority area in Lothians parliamentary region and also the long-term unemployed as a proportion of the resident working-age population and as a proportion of total unemployment in each local authority.

  Long-term unemployed are defined as those claiming unemployment related benefits for over 12 months. The latest data available are for October 2007.

  Table 1: Claimant Count Unemployment for Local Authorities in the Lothians Parliamentary Region, October 2007

  

 Local Authority
 Number of Long-Term Unemployed
 % of Resident Working Age Population who are Long-Term Unemployed
 Long-Term Unemployed as % of Total Unemployment


 East Lothian*
 40
 0.1%
 6.7%


 Edinburgh, City of
 670
 0.2%
 12.8%


 Midlothian*
 85
 0.2%
 11.4%


 West Lothian
 205
 0.2%
 9.6%


 All**
 995
 0.2%
 11.4%



  Source: Office for National Statistics.

  Notes:

  Long-term unemployed defined as those claiming for over 12 months.

  Data on number of long-term unemployed rounded to the nearest five.

  *Only part of the local authority located in the Lothians parliamentary region but the data are for the full local authority area.

  **The figure for ALL is a total of the local authorities in the table. It does not provide an estimate for the Lothians parliamentary region.

Employment

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what percentage of, people were long-term unemployed in each local authority ward in the City of Edinburgh Council area on the most recent date for which figures are available.

John Swinney: The Claimant Count gives the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits and is produced by the Office for National Statistics.

  Table 1 shows the number of long-term unemployed people claiming unemployment related benefits in each council ward in the City of Edinburgh and also the long-term unemployed as a proportion of the resident working-age population and as a proportion of total unemployment in each ward.

  Long-term unemployed are defined as those claiming unemployment related benefits for over 12 months. The latest data available are for October 2007.

  Table 1: Claimant Count Unemployment for Wards in City of Edinburgh, October 2007

  

 Ward
 Number of Long-Term Unemployed
 % of Resident Working Age Population who are Long-Term Unemployed
 Long-Term Unemployed as % of Total Unemployment


 Balerno
 0
 0.0
 0.0%


 Baberton
 5
 0.1
 15.2%


 Dalmeny/Kirkliston
 10
 0.2
 13.7%


 Queensferry
 10
 0.1
 19.2%


 Cramond
 5
 0.1
 17.9%


 Davidson's Mains
 5
 0.1
 19.2%


 Muirhouse/Drylaw
 30
 0.6
 12.0%


 Craigleith
 0
 0.0
 0.0%


 Pilton
 25
 0.5
 12.6%


 Granton
 25
 0.5
 13.4%


 Trinity
 5
 0.1
 10.6%


 Newhaven
 15
 0.3
 9.5%


 East Craigs
 5
 0.2
 7.1%


 N.E. Corstorphine
 5
 0.1
 11.9%


 Murrayfield
 5
 0.1
 19.2%


 Dean
 5
 0.1
 10.9%


 Stockbridge
 10
 0.2
 18.5%


 New Town
 10
 0.1
 20.0%


 Broughton
 15
 0.3
 15.2%


 Calton
 20
 0.4
 18.3%


 Harbour
 20
 0.4
 11.6%


 Lorne
 25
 0.5
 14.0%


 Gyle
 10
 0.2
 22.2%


 S.E. Corstorphine
 5
 0.1
 11.4%


 Parkhead
 25
 0.5
 13.7%


 Craiglockhart
 0
 0.0
 0.0%


 Stenhouse
 20
 0.5
 21.5%


 Moat
 20
 0.4
 17.9%


 Shandon
 15
 0.3
 14.2%


 Dalry
 25
 0.4
 17.1%


 Fountainbridge
 15
 0.2
 13.5%


 Tollcross
 5
 0.1
 5.2%


 Southside
 10
 0.2
 10.4%


 Holyrood
 30
 0.6
 17.3%


 Meadowbank
 20
 0.3
 18.3%


 Mountcastle
 10
 0.2
 12.3%


 Leith Links
 15
 0.3
 14.4%


 Restalrig
 20
 0.4
 9.8%


 Portobello
 15
 0.3
 22.1%


 Milton
 10
 0.3
 11.8%


 Murrayburn
 20
 0.3
 9.2%


 Sighthill
 5
 0.1
 4.5%


 Colinton
 0
 0.0
 0.0%


 Firrhill
 10
 0.2
 10.5%


 Merchiston
 0
 0.0
 0.0%


 North Morningside/Grange
 10
 0.3
 22.2%


 Marchmont
 5
 0.1
 11.9%


 Sciennes
 5
 0.1
 15.2%


 Newington
 5
 0.1
 13.5%


 Prestonfield
 0
 0.0
 0.0%


 South Morningside
 0
 0.0
 0.0%


 Fairmilehead
 0
 0.0
 0.0%


 Alnwickhill
 5
 0.1
 8.8%


 Kaimes
 15
 0.3
 10.9%


 Moredun
 15
 0.3
 11.3%


 Gilmerton
 5
 0.1
 8.9%


 Craigmillar
 25
 0.6
 12.8%


 Duddingston
 5
 0.1
 7.9%


 City of Edinburgh
 670
 0.2
 12.8%



  Source: Office for National Statistics.

  Notes:

  1. Long-term unemployed defined as those claiming for over 12 months.

  2. Data on number of long-term unemployed rounded to the nearest five.

Energy Efficiency

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures to encourage energy efficiency and energy conservation it inherited from the previous administration and what new or additional measures are contained in its draft budget.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging energy efficiency and energy conservation and supports a number of measures to achieve these aims.

  It intends to continue and improve programmes delivered under the previous administration, including: support provided by the Carbon Trust and the Energy Saving Trust across the domestic, public and business sectors; the energy efficiency fund for the public sector; the interest-free loan scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises; the fuel poverty programmes and revisions to the Scottish Building Standards.

  Over and above this work, specific new measures include:

  The introduction of a one-stop shop for domestic and small business consumers in Scotland covering energy efficiency, renewables and transport advice. The new network of advice centres will go live from April 2008 and will deliver a more strategic approach to customer engagement and will have more challenging targets: to reach three times as many customers and deliver a four-fold increase in carbon emission reductions compared to existing performance.

  Work to develop a strategy for attracting more funding and benefits in to Scotland from the UK Government’s Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC). An EEC Strategy Manager was appointed in August 2007 (based within the Energy Saving Trust) and their key role is to develop a more strategic and integrated approach to take-up.

  The establishment of an Expert Panel in August 2007 to advise the Scottish Government on a Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy. The key objective is to move construction of new buildings, including housing, to the rigorous energy performance levels imposed in Scandinavia. The panel’s report will be published before the end of the year.

  Additionally, the Scottish Government wants to ensure that it has in place the right incentives to encourage energy efficiency. It is currently considering the results and recommendations of a recently commissioned independent review of energy efficiency support. This will help to inform future action for improving, simplifying and streamlining delivery whilst ensuring that support is effectively targeted.

  The Scottish Government will also be consulting on proposals to introduce a Scottish Climate Change Bill, which will set a mandatory target of cutting emissions by 80% by 2050. Discussions have already taken place with a number of key stakeholders from business, non-governmental organisations, public sector and research to discuss potential policy proposals and the consultation will seek views on further incentives to encourage energy efficiency. The Scottish Government intends to launch a public consultation on the bill in January.

Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s actual total expenditure was in comparison with its original budgets in (a) 2005-06 and (b) 2006-07 and whether any additional in-year spending allocations have been made to it for 2007-08 and, if so, what the value is of such allocations.

Jim Mather: The planned budget for Highlands and Islands Enterprise is publicly presented in its Operating Plan which is issued annually. Its actual total expenditure is reported each year publicly through its Annual Report and Annual Accounts. Copies of these documents for 2005-06 and 2006-07 are available through the Highlands and Islands Enterprise website at www.hie.co.uk .

  The Scottish Government’s Grant in Aid contribution is the major but not sole element of Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s gross budget. For 2007-08 there has been an in-year adjustment to Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s Grant in Aid allocation following the Autumn Budget Revisions. This increased the Grant in Aid budget by £8.765 million from £88.979 million to £97.744 million.

  There may be further adjustments to Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s 2007-08 Grant in Aid allocation following the Spring Budget Revisions process.

Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many voluntary or compulsory redundancies it envisages that Highlands and Islands Enterprise will make in the spending review period as a result of reductions in its budget.

Jim Mather: Determining the correct levels of its staffing grades and structure is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Where severances are being considered then under the terms of HIE’s management statement, departmental approval must be sought. HIE management sought and were granted departmental approval in principle to offer a selective voluntary severance scheme with a view to removing up to 50 posts from the organisation’s current staffing complement.

Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what continuing role Highlands and Islands Enterprise will have in social, as well as economic, development.

Jim Mather: Highlands and Islands Enterprise will maintain its important role in strengthening communities, as now, across the Highlands and Islands area.

Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive to (a) how many and (b) which bodies current functions of Highlands and Islands Enterprise will be transferred and when such transfers will take place.

Jim Mather: Careers Scotland and most of the national skills and training activity will transfer from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to Skills Development Scotland, which is expected to be operational from 1 April 2008. The Business Gateway service already operating in the rest of Scotland will be extended to cover the Highlands and Islands area, following which its delivery will be managed by local authorities. Discussions are currently underway between HIE, the local authorities and COSLA with a view to completing this work as soon as possible in the course of the next financial year.

Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the success of Highlands and Islands Enterprise as an organisation.

Jim Mather: Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) plays a key role in delivering sustainable economic development in the Highlands and Islands and achieves many successful outcomes. Our reforms will enable HIE to focus on activity which will have a greater incremental impact on business innovation and growth in its area and on the Scottish economic growth rate as a whole.

Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has held with businesses or business representative organisations in the highlands and islands about changes to the functions and responsibilities of Highlands and Islands Enterprise; whom it consulted, and what evidence it received.

Jim Mather: We consulted with a broad cross section of the Scottish business community during the process to develop the enterprise networks reform proposals. Both the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth and I, as well as officials, held a number of meetings with stakeholders, including with the main national business organisations.

Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has held with businesses or business representative organisations in the highlands and islands about reductions in the budget for Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the spending review period; whom it consulted, and what evidence it received.

Jim Mather: As with previous Spending Reviews, the budget settlement for the enterprise networks was determined through an internal process by the Scottish Government. It is not normal practice, and nor has it been, to consult with business organisations regarding the setting of the enterprise networks’ budgets.

Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that the reductions in budgets for, and changing functions of, Highlands and Islands Enterprise will result in any centralisation of its organisation and staffing.

Jim Mather: One of the aims of the reforms is to create a more coherent approach to national, regional and local economic development. Rather than centralise staff and resources, the enterprise networks will be expected to devote an increasing proportion of resources away from their headquarters to frontline delivery.

Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what duties and powers Highlands and Islands Enterprise has in the field of social development.

Jim Mather: Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s duties and powers in the field of social development are set out in part 1, section 1(b)(i), section 8(5) and section 13(3) of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990.

Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to remove Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s powers and duties to promote social development.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government recognises the interrelationship between sustainable communities and sustainable rural economic growth. There are therefore no plans to remove Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s strengthening communities remit.

Environment

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which capital projects in its draft budget contribute to reducing carbon emissions over the period of the spending review and what is the best estimate of the amount, expressed in tonnage of carbon, by which emissions will be reduced by each such initiative over 2008-11.

Stewart Stevenson: In line with our commitment to consult on a Scottish Climate Change Bill, including a long-term target of an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050, we are taking steps to refine our approach to assessing the effect on emissions of new policy measures and capital projects. In the meantime, the annual publication of Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, available at www.naei.org.uk , provides a measure of the trend in overall Scottish emissions.

Environment

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government will be issuing a consultation in January on proposals for the Climate Change Bill which will include a target of reducing emissions by 80% by 2050. Whether the target will be based on a basket of greenhouse gases, or carbon dioxide emissions alone, will be decided after the public consultation.

  We are currently undertaking research to identify a range of options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland, including emissions from non-carbon dioxide gases. Measures already being taken forward that are expected to reduce non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions include our commitment to a Zero Waste fund that will support a number of measures such as waste prevention, community sector recycling, waste awareness and provision of advice and support for local authority recycling initiatives. In addition, we are funding initiatives by farmers and other stakeholders in the rural community to reduce climate change emissions from land management practices and to manage our rural environment more effectively, through the £1.6 billion Rural Development Programme.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the road equivalent tariff pilot to include Shetland, Orkney or Arran.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-5199 on 25 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assumption of mileage rate is made when calculating costs to individual passengers in the road equivalent tariff pilot.

Stewart Stevenson: This is one of the issues that the consultants engaged on the road equivalent tariff study have been asked to consider and to include in their proposals for the pilot exercise.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assessment will be made under the terms of the road equivalent tariff (RET) pilot on the impact on local businesses in island communities of the implementation of RET across the highlands and islands.

Stewart Stevenson: The current road equivalent tariff (RET) study will provide an initial analysis of the potential impacts, especially in economic and social terms, of the introduction of the RET approach. The impact on local business will also be monitored during the pilot phase of the study. The third and final phase of the RET study will involve an evaluation of the pilot, making use of the information gathered through the baseline and monitoring exercises. In addition to assessing the impact of the pilot, the evaluation will attempt, as far as is possible, to quantify both the costs and benefits to residents and businesses which would arise should RET be applied on a permanent basis and rolled out to other ferry routes in the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles networks. This evaluation will also consider the likely longer-term impacts of such a roll out.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the ability of ferry service providers to provide sufficient capacity following implementation of road equivalent tariff.

Stewart Stevenson: Capacity considerations is one of the issues the consultants engaged on the road equivalent tariff (RET) study have been asked to consider. The study will seek to identify any capacity constraints that would emerge during the pilot and from any permanent roll out of the RET approach. The consultants have been asked to quantify the cost of increasing the capacity to meet demand, through additional or larger vessels and new shore infrastructure.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Caledonian MacBrayne regarding any difficulties in sourcing new-build ferries in the United Kingdom.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) regarding any difficulties in sourcing new build ferries in the United Kingdom. CMAL are responsible for procuring vessels for use on the Clyde and Hebrides routes and are obliged to follow EU procurement rules when placing orders for new vessels.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether road equivalent tariff will apply to ferry passengers with and without cars and what charging regime will apply.

Stewart Stevenson: This is one of the issues the consultants carrying out the study have been asked to consider.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether evidence on road equivalent tariff will be drawn from Norway or Canada.

Stewart Stevenson: The consultants engaged on the road equivalent tariff (RET) study consulted extensively on worldwide experience of RET, as the basis for ferry fares. In considering how RET has been used elsewhere the consultants have taken evidence from both Norway and Canada. An official from the Norwegian Government participated in a Scottish Government workshop for key stakeholders on RET in Inverness on 24 October 2007.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish tourist industry about the road equivalent tariff proposals.

Stewart Stevenson: A vital element of the road equivalent tariff study is for the consultants to engage with key stakeholders as they develop their proposals. Consequently, the study consultants have discussed the issues with a number of stakeholders including local tourism agencies.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate has been made of the total costs of running the road equivalent tariff (RET) scheme and what budget allocation has been made in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11 for full implementation of the scheme.

Stewart Stevenson: In the final phase of the RET study the consultants will quantify both the costs and benefits which would arise should road equivalent tariff be applied on a permanent basis and rolled out to other ferry routes in the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles networks and the likely longer term impacts of such a roll out.

  The budget allocation for the RET study and pilot in years (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2009-10 is £5 million, £7.5 million and £10 million respectively.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate has been made of the average time for Caledonian MacBrayne to source new-build vessels from tender to delivery.

Stewart Stevenson: The time taken to source new ferries from tender to delivery is dependent on a number of factors including size of vessel, individual and collective pressures on shipyard capacity, demand in the world shipping market and the availability of key components. The time taken from the issue of tender invitations to delivery, for the ferry recently ordered for the Islay route is some four years.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what studies have been (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the ability of the Scottish shipbuilding industry to provide new-build passenger vessels suitable for ferry services in the highlands and islands.

Stewart Stevenson: There have been no studies commissioned by the Scottish Government.

Health

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many isolation beds there have been in each NHS board area in each year since 1999.

The Executive have supplied the following corrected answer:

Nicola Sturgeon: Information on isolation facilities in NHS boards in Scotland was collated by Health Protection Scotland during February 2004 as part of a one off exercise to support Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) preparedness planning. Since that time no further national census or audit has been undertaken.

  The information obtained during the February 2004 audit is shown in the following table.

  Availability of Isolation Facilities Within Acute Hospitals in NHSScotland (2004)

  

 NHS Board/Area
 Total Number of Isolation Rooms


 Argyll and Clyde
 237


 Ayrshire and Arran
 204


 Borders
 65


 Dumfries and Galloway
 142


 Fife
 187


 Forth Valley
 150


 Grampian
 282


 Greater Glasgow
 586


 Highland
 137


 Lanarkshire
 323


 Lothian
 508


 Orkney
 13


 Shetland
 22


 Tayside
 245


 Western Isles
 66


 Special Board (Golden Jubilee National Hospital)
 175


 Total
 3,342



  Note: Figures for Argyll and Clyde are shown in the table as the audit took place prior to the dissolution of NHS Argyll and Clyde.

Housing

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been housed in temporary accommodation in each local authority area in the Lothians parliamentary region in each of the last 10 years.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government collects snapshot information on the number of households in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter through the HL2 return. This only relates to households which have been placed in temporary accommodation by a local authority under the Homeless Persons legislation, and includes households for whom the local authority’s decision and final action is still pending, as well as households which were secured such accommodation as a final action.

  The following table gives the number of households in temporary accommodation on the 31 March 1998 through to 31 March 2007 for local authorities wholly or partly in the Lothians parliamentary region.

  Number of Households in Temporary Accommodation as at 31 March (Lothians Parliamentary Region): 1998 to 2007

  

 
 1998
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007


 East Lothian
 51
 46
 43
 52
 69
 86
 111
 187
 188
 192


 City of Edinburgh
 234
 238
 251
 305
 358
 397
 510
 525
 557
 595


 Midlothian
 37
 35
 30
 38
 21
 84
 14
 154
 131
 310


 West Lothian
 126
 130
 98
 108
 138
 209
 200
 208
 269
 326



  Source: HL2 returns submitted by local authorities to the Scottish Government Communities Analytical Services Division (Housing Statistics).

Local Authority Boundaries

Keith Brown (Ochil) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to make changes to local authority boundaries.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-6972 on 29 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Local Authority Boundaries

Keith Brown (Ochil) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will rule out any merger of Clackmannanshire local authority with Stirling.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-6972 on 29 November 2007, where I reaffirmed my announcement of the summer that there will be no boundaries reform of local government during this Parliament. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

  We are currently funding Stirling and Clackmannanshire to deliver a feasibility study into joint working. The project timescales have been extended to ensure that the report has fully addressed the complex issues associated with a joint working proposal. I await that report and any further joint proposals the authorities might make with interest.

Local Government Finance

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities will be given full discretion to spend the resources previously available to those funding lines outlined in table 17.02 of Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 which are due to be rolled up into the local government finance settlement for 2008-09.

John Swinney: For those funding streams being rolled up into the local government finance settlement, under the proposed agreement between the Scottish Government and local government, local authorities will commission services which may have previously been funded by central government, such as those provided by third sector organisations. This will provide an opportunity for local service delivery organisations, including community partners and voluntary organisations, to build closer relationships with local commissioners and work together to meet the needs of the local community and deliver on the national outcomes.

Local Government Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding has been requested by Aberdeen City Council for social work services as part of the funding settlement intended to achieve a council tax freeze.

Adam Ingram: No request for additional funding for social work services has been received from Aberdeen City Council.

NHS Funding

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding has been allocated to implement the recommendations of the independent review of NHS wheelchair and seating services in Scotland, Moving Forward.

Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-6288 on 20 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has set any targets for the total budget for non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and the government agencies that it expects to be controlled by these bodies following its review and reduction in the number of such bodies and, if so, what that budget will be.

John Swinney: The Spending Review outcome document Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 provides details on budget allocations for NDPBs and government agencies. Further details will be published in the forthcoming Budget Bill.

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has set any targets for the numbers of staff expected to be employed in non-departmental public bodies and government agencies following its review and reduction in the number of such bodies and, if so, what the total number will be.

John Swinney: No targets have been set but the government expects to realise 2% efficiency savings per annum.

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum saving in cash or percentage terms it considers would represent a satisfactory outcome of its review of non-departmental public bodies and government agencies.

John Swinney: We want to achieve a simpler, more effective public sector for Scotland, which is good for Scotland's competitiveness and overall economic performance. Our focus is on getting rid of duplication, simplifying structures and stopping activities that do not contribute to the Government’s objectives, to free Scotland’s public servants to provide the services people need.

  We will look for efficiencies that are sustainable and have ruled out compulsory redundancies. Where our changes mean integrated or shared services, I would expect savings to be made. We are committed to a more efficient government and have set out our target of a 2% efficiency saving in Scottish expenditure.

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its principal objective in reviewing the landscape of non-departmental public bodies and government agencies is to tidy that landscape or to reduce the amount of power, influence and budget held by those not directly under the control of Scottish ministers.

John Swinney: We want to achieve simpler, more effective public services and to ensure that appropriate accountability arrangements are in place.

Non-Domestic Rates

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor the impact on small business start-ups and closures of a reduction in business rates for small businesses.

John Swinney: We shall continue to measure the rate of small business start-ups nationally. The seven Government Economic Strategy targets and the 45 National Indicators and Targets which accompany the Scottish Budget Spending Review 2007 include Indicator 2 on business start-ups.

  Further details are given in the Technical Notes for the 2007 Spending Review, published on 30 November 2007, which may be found at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/30090722/0.

Non-Domestic Rates

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it expects to prioritise the acceleration of the full implementation of reductions in business rates for small businesses announced in the budget on 14 November 2007 if additional resources become available.

John Swinney: We will seek to act prudently and responsibly in the management of the resources at our disposal and in honouring the commitments we have made as part of the Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 . Decisions on future spending plans and their prioritisation can only be made if additional resources become available.

Non-Domestic Rates

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources would require to be made available in order to prioritise the acceleration of the full implementation of reductions in business rates for small businesses announced in the budget on 14 November 2007.

John Swinney: Any decision on the level of additional resources that would be required to accelerate implementation of the Small Business Bonus Scheme would depend on additional resources becoming available from budget or pre-budget report consequentials or other sources. Decisions would also need to be taken in the light of conditions prevailing at the time and the need to exercise prudent and responsible financial management.

Non-Domestic Rates

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will prioritise the acceleration of the full implementation of reductions in business rates for small businesses announced in the budget on 14 November 2007 ahead of increased resources for Scotland’s universities, if additional resources become available.

John Swinney: We will take prudent financial decisions in the light of financial circumstances as they prevail. Decisions on future spending plans and their prioritisation will only be made if additional resources become available. Our spending plans are set out in the Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 and make full use of the resources currently available to the Scottish Government. A commitment to accelerate reductions in business rates has been given in that document.

Non-Domestic Rates

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many small businesses in the Central Fife parliamentary constituency will benefit from the proposed cut in business rates.

John Swinney: Information on small businesses in the form requested is not held centrally. However, information on the number and rateable value of non-domestic properties which may be eligible for relief under the Small Business Bonus scheme is available for the local authority area concerned on the Scottish Assessors Portal www.saa.gov.uk . This information is shown as follows:

  

 Number of Properties
 Rateable Value of Property


 Up to £8,000
£8,001-£10,000
£10,001-£15,000
 Total up to £15,000


 Central Fife
 7,104
 653
 1,051
 8,808



  Notes:

  (i) The rateable value ranges shown in the table correspond to those on page 12 of the Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007.

  (ii) The table shows the number of non-domestic properties with rateable values of up to £15,000 in all of Fife local authority area.

  (iii) The number of eligible businesses will be lower than the number of non-domestic properties in each area, because some businesses have more than one property. This may affect eligibility for relief under the Small Business Bonus Scheme, which will depend on:

  the combined rateable value of all properties in Scotland which a business owns, leases or - is otherwise entitled to occupy;

  whether the property is eligible for one of the existing rates relief schemes, and

  the level of other public sector assistance received by the business.

Non-Domestic Rates

Keith Brown (Ochil) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many small businesses in the Stirling local authority area will benefit from the proposed cut in business rates.

John Swinney: Information on small businesses in the form requested is not held centrally. However, information on the number and rateable value of non-domestic properties which may be eligible for relief under the Small Business Bonus scheme is available for the local authority area concerned on the Scottish Assessors Portal www.saa.gov.uk . This information is as follows:

  

 Number of Properties
 Rateable Value of Property


 Up to £8,000
£8,001-£10,000
£10,001-£15,000
 Total up to £15,000


 Stirling
 2,816
 260
 380
 3,456



  Notes:

  (i) The rateable value ranges shown in the table correspond to those on page 12 of the Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007.

  (ii) The table shows the number of non-domestic properties (excluding zero-rated subjects) with rateable values of up to £15,000 in the Stirling local authority area.

  (iii) The number of eligible businesses will be lower than the number of non-domestic properties in each area, because some businesses have more than one property. This may affect eligibility for relief under the Small Business Bonus Scheme, which will depend on:

  the combined rateable value of all properties in Scotland which a business owns, leases or - is otherwise entitled to occupy;

  whether the property is eligible for one of the existing rates relief schemes, and

  the level of other public sector assistance received by the business.

Parliamentary Questions

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6023 by John Swinney on 19 November 2007, whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth agrees with the full text of paragraph 68 of Guidance on Scottish Parliamentary Questions, issued by the civil service, which states that "Where a question on the same subject already exists, consideration should be given to using that question to make the announcement, whether or not it is an Opposition question, instead of arranging an inspired question. Failing that, it is, of course, important to ensure that any other existing question on the same subject is answered on the same day as the inspired question".

Bruce Crawford: For the reasons explained in the answer to question S3W-6023, the approach adopted when answering question S3W-4824 adhered to the terms of the guidance.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Parliamentary Questions

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6023 by John Swinney on 19 November 2007, whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth considers that the way the answer quotes from Guidance on Scottish Parliamentary Questions is in keeping with his obligations to the Parliament, as set out in the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Bruce Crawford: The answer provided to question S3W-6023 fully complied with the terms of the Scottish Ministerial Code.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Population

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on what the average European (EU-15) population growth is forecast to be from 2007 to 2017.

Jim Mather: Eurostat’s (http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu) 2004-based population projections show that the population of the EU-15 is projected to rise by around 2.2 per cent between 2007 and 2017.

Population

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on what the average European (EU-15) population growth has been in (a) 1950-60, (b) 1960-70, (c) 1970-80, (d) 1980-90, (e) 1990-2000, (f) 2000-07, (g) 1950-2007, (h) 1960-2007, (i) 1970-2007, (j) 1980-2007 and (k) 1990-2007, broken down by member state, and what the average population growth has been in Scotland in the same periods.

Jim Mather: The percentage changes in population for EU-15 countries and Scotland are provided in the following table. Figures for EU member states are from the Eurostat website (http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/) and are as at 1 January. Figures for Scotland are from the General Register Office for Scotland ( www.gro-scotland.gov.uk ) and are as at 30 June.

  Percentage Change in Populations of EU-15 Countries and Scotland Over Various Periods

  

 Country
 a
 b
 c
 d
 e
 f
 g
 h
 i
 j
 k


 1950-60
 1960-70
 1970-80
 1980-90
 1990-2000
 2000-07
 1950-2007
 1960-2007
 1970-2007
 1980-2007
 1990-2007


 EU-15
 6.5
 8.0
 4.3
 2.5
 3.3
 3.8
 N/A
 23.8
 14.7
 10.0
 7.3


 Austria
 1.5
 6.0
 1.2
 1.3
 4.7
 3.7
 19.8
 18.0
 11.3
 10.0
 8.6


 Belgium
 5.7
 5.8
 2.0
 0.9
 2.9
 3.4
 22.5
 15.9
 9.6
 7.4
 6.4


 Denmark
 7.4
 7.5
 4.4
 0.3
 3.8
 2.2
 28.1
 19.3
 11.0
 6.3
 6.1


 Finland
 10.7
 4.6
 3.4
 4.3
 4.0
 2.0
 32.3
 19.6
 14.4
 10.6
 6.1


 France
 9.2
 11.1
 6.3
 5.3
 4.0
 4.6
 47.8
 35.4
 21.8
 14.5
 8.8


 Germany
 6.1
 7.9
 -0.1
 1.2
 3.9
 0.2
 20.4
 13.5
 5.2
 5.3
 4.0


 Greece
 9.7
 5.8
 9.2
 5.6
 7.7
 2.5
 47.7
 34.6
 27.2
 16.6
 10.4


 Ireland
 -4.5
 3.8
 15.3
 3.4
 7.7
 14.2
 45.3
 52.2
 46.6
 27.2
 23.0


 Italy
 N/A
 7.3
 5.0
 0.5
 0.4
 3.9
 N/A
 18.2
 10.1
 4.9
 4.3


 Luxembourg
 6.2
 8.1
 7.4
 4.4
 14.3
 9.8
 61.6
 52.1
 40.7
 31.0
 25.5


 Netherlands
 13.9
 13.5
 8.7
 5.7
 6.5
 3.1
 63.1
 43.3
 26.2
 16.1
 9.8


 Portugal
 4.6
 -1.5
 11.7
 2.9
 2.0
 4.0
 25.6
 20.1
 21.9
 9.1
 6.0


 Spain
 8.3
 10.8
 10.9
 4.3
 3.2
 11.0
 58.8
 46.7
 32.4
 19.4
 14.5


 Sweden
 6.9
 7.1
 3.7
 2.7
 3.9
 2.8
 30.4
 22.0
 13.9
 9.8
 6.9


 UK
 3.1
 6.4
 1.3
 1.5
 2.8
 3.5
 20.2
 16.6
 9.6
 8.1
 6.5


 Scotland
 1.2
 0.7
 -0.4
 -2.2
 -0.4
 1.5
 0.5
 -0.8
 -1.4
 -1.1
 1.1



  Note: The 2007 figure for Scotland is taken from the 2006-based national population projections. The mid-year population estimate for 2007 will be published in April 2008.

Population

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on what the population has been in each European (EU-15) member state in (a) 1950, (b) 1960, (c) 1970, (d) 1980, (e) 1990, (f) 2000 and (g) 2007 and what the Scottish population was in the same periods.

Jim Mather: The populations of each of the EU-15 member states and of Scotland are provided in the table below. Figures for EU member states are from the Eurostat website (http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/) and are as at 1 January. Figures for Scotland are from the General Register Office for Scotland ( www.gro-scotland.gov.uk ) and are as at 30 June.

  Populations of EU-15 Countries and Scotland (000)

  

 Country
 a
 b
 c
 d
 e
 f
 g


 1950
 1960
 1970
 1980
 1990
 2000
 2007


 EU-15
 N/A
 314,862
 339,975
 354,568
 363,493
 375,550
 389,952


 Austria
 6,926
 7,030
 7,455
 7,546
 7,645
 8,002
 8,299


 Belgium
 8,639
 9,129
 9,660
 9,855
 9,948
 10,239
 10,585


 Denmark
 4,251
 4,565
 4,907
 5,122
 5,135
 5,330
 5,447


 Finland
 3,988
 4,413
 4,614
 4,771
 4,974
 5,171
 5,277


 France
 41,647
 45,465
 50,528
 53,731
 56,577
 58,850
 61,538


 Germany
 68,376
 72,543
 78,269
 78,180
 79,113
 82,163
 82,315


 Greece
 7,566
 8,300
 8,781
 9,584
 10,121
 10,904
 11,172


 Ireland
 2,969
 2,836
 2,943
 3,393
 3,507
 3,778
 4,315


 Italy
 N/A
 50,026
 53,685
 56,388
 56,694
 56,924
 59,131


 Luxembourg
 295
 313
 339
 363
 379
 434
 476


 Netherlands
 10,027
 11,417
 12,958
 14,091
 14,893
 15,864
 16,358


 Portugal
 8,437
 8,826
 8,698
 9,714
 9,996
 10,195
 10,599


 Spain
 28,009
 30,327
 33,588
 37,242
 38,826
 40,050
 44,475


 Sweden
 6,986
 7,471
 8,004
 8,303
 8,527
 8,861
 9,113


 UK
 50,616
 52,200
 55,546
 56,285
 57,157
 58,785
 60,853


 Scotland
 5,115
 5,178
 5,214
 5,194
 5,081
 5,063
 5,138



  Note: The 2007 figure for Scotland is taken from the 2006-based national population projections. The mid-year population estimate for 2007 will be published in April 2008.

Rail Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Glasgow to Edinburgh rail service via Falkirk High is specified as an express service or an intercity service and whether trains can be given priority over other services if they are specified as express or intercity services under the rail franchise.

Stewart Stevenson: Under the Franchise Agreement, First ScotRail are obliged to operate services in accordance with a Service Level Commitment (SLC). The SLC protects the passenger’s interest by specifying the frequency of service, early service, late service, calling patterns and maximum journey time for each route. The SLC specification does not differentiate or prioritise between services in terms of First ScotRail’s obligation to obtain the rights to operate the services or in the operation of these services.

Renewable Energy

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with OFGEM since May 2007 about proposals for the connection of Scotland’s offshore renewable generation capacity to electricity markets elsewhere in Europe.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has regular discussions with OFGEM and expects to discuss shortly its proposals and feasibility studies which would help take them forward.

Renewable Energy

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many tonnes of carbon emissions will be saved each year as a result of increased spending on community renewables and microgeneration and what estimate it has made of the reduction in carbon emissions when such spending is being phased in.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging greater uptake of community renewables and microgeneration as demonstrated by the commitment to triple funding for community and microgeneration in our spending review.

  The Scottish Government wants to ensure that, going forward, the support we provide for community and microgeneration achieves the best value for money, maximises carbon savings, whilst at the same time provides the right conditions for stimulating and transforming the market for microgeneration technologies. Work is currently underway to ascertain how future support will be targeted and I will announce plans early in the new year.

  As part of our commitment to introduce carbon impact assessments for policy options, we will aim to identify and quantify the likely carbon savings that will result from increasing spending on community and microgeneration.

Roads

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made an assessment of the carbon impact of proposed road projects such as dualling the A9 and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and, if so, where such assessments are published.

Stewart Stevenson: New road projects such as the dualling of the A9 are subject to appraisal in accordance with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG), which include an assessment of the impact on the environment.

  An assessment of the emissions of carbon dioxide from traffic predicted to use the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route was undertaken as part of the project Environmental Impact Assessment. The findings of this assessment are presented in the Environmental Statement. A copy of the statement is available on the project website at http://www.awpr.co.uk/draft_orders.asp?id=534.

Roads

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5931 by Stewart Stevenson on 12 November 2007, whether it is satisfied that the surrounding road network has sufficient capacity to cope with traffic diverted from the upgraded A80/M80 route.

Stewart Stevenson: Yes. In the event of an emergency or closure of the upgraded A80/M80 route the surrounding road network will have sufficient capacity to cope with diverted traffic.

Roads

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5931 by Stewart Stevenson on 12 November 2007, whether the answer indicates that there is no specific designated alternative route for the upgraded A80/M80 route in the event of emergency or closure.

Stewart Stevenson: The alternative route in the event of emergency or closure of the upgraded A80/M80 route would be determined by the operating company responsible for this section of road in consultation with the police and adjacent road authorities. This and other emergency procedures are subject to continuous monitoring and improvement.

Roads

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-4760 by Stewart Stevenson on 25 October 2007, what contingency arrangements have been made to ensure that the Isle of Arran has sufficient fuels in the event of adverse weather conditions making roads impassable or leading to the cancellation of ferry services to the island.

Stewart Stevenson: Local authorities, as Category 1 responders under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, have a responsibility to assess the risk of emergencies occurring, and to use this to inform contingency planning. North Ayrshire Council believe their plans in this regard are robust and sufficient.

  For example, I understand that should severe weather, or any other reason, stop fuel getting to Arran, there is normally sufficient stock held at the Scottish Fuels depot in Brodick to last up to eight weeks. North Ayrshire Council also has substantial fuel storage facilities on the island.

Scottish Government Buildings

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what paintings and other works of art it owns and what its policy is regarding their display.

John Swinney: There is no formal policy for the display of works of art in Scottish Government buildings. Decisions on where to display items are taken on a project by project or case-by-case basis. Many items are displayed in areas accessible to visitors. Details of Victoria Quay works of art have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 44253). A list of the artworks located in other Scottish Government buildings is currently being compiled and will be available in the same way.

Scottish Government Funding

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive which grants and funding outlined in table 17.02 of Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 are not being rolled up into settlement in 2008-09 in full.

John Swinney: The current baselined provision for all of the grants and funding outlined in table 17.02 has been included in the 2008-11 local government finance settlements. The grants listed as ring-fenced in 2008-09 will remain as separately identifiable and the remainder rolled up into the general settlement.

Scottish Government Funding

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list those grants and funds outlined in table 17.02 of Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 where the allocation of those funds remains the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

John Swinney: The allocation of all the grants and funding streams listed under the heading of ring-fenced in 2008-09 in table 17.02 will remain the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Scottish Government Funding

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been provided to the Cities Growth Fund in each year since its inception and how much has been transferred to each local authority for each of the next three years.

John Swinney: The following table details how much has been provided from the Cities Growth Fund in each year since its inception:

  

 Annual Allocation (£000)
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 Total allocation 2003-08


 Aberdeen City 
 2,556
 3,883
 5,111
 5,292
 5,467
 22,259


 Dundee City 
 2,067
 3,100
 4,133
 4,208
 4,315
 17,823


 City of Edinburgh
 5,378
 8,067
 10,755
 11,195
 11,506
 46,901


 Glasgow City
 8,888
 13,334
 17,878
 18,030
 18,405
 76,535


 Highland
 689
 1,033
 1,378
 1,407
 1,442
 5,949


 Stirling
 422
 633
 845
 868
 890
 3,658


 Total
 20,000
 30,000
 40,100
 41,000
 42,025
 173,125



  Under the concordat agreed between Scottish ministers and COSLA, the ring fence around the Cities Growth Fund will be removed from 1 April 2008, with the funding being absorbed into the main local government settlement.

  The Scottish Government will be providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period covered by the spending review 2008-11. The vast majority of the funding, including the funding previously provided from the Cities Growth Fund, will be provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and manifesto commitments.

Scottish Government Ministers

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which newspapers and magazines are purchased regularly for ministers, both daily and weekly.

John Swinney: The following newspapers are purchased regularly for ministers on a daily basis: The Scotsman , The Herald , Financial Times , Daily Record , Sun , Daily Mail , The Times , The Daily Telegraph , The Independent , Daily Express , The Guardian , Star , Mirror , The Press and Journal , The Courier , Evening News and Evening Times .

  The following newspapers and magazines are purchased regularly for ministers on a weekly basis: The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Mail, Sunday Express, The Sunday Herald, Sunday Post, The Scotland on Sunday, Mail on Sunday, Independent on Sunday, News of the World, The Observer, The Economist, Farmers Weekly, Fishing News, Scottish Farmer, Oban Times, West Highland Free Press, The New Statesman, The Spectator, Press Gazette and TESS.

Scottish Water

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff of Scottish Water and Scottish Water Business Stream are involved in meter reading work at Heathrow Airport.

Stewart Stevenson: This is an operational matter for Scottish Water and its subsidiary. I have asked their chief executives to consider the question and write to you directly.

Scottish Water

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are for Scottish Water Business Stream to provide additional services outside Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson: There are no plans at present – but we are in regular discussion with Scottish Water Business Stream about the implications of the opening of the retail market from April 2008.

Special Advisers

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the terms of reference are for each of the special advisers to Scottish ministers.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-5415 on 15 October 2007 which set out the current number of Special Advisers and their responsibilities. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

  Special advisers are appointed in accordance with Article 3 (4) of the Civil Service Order in Council 1995 (as amended) for the purpose of providing assistance to the First Minister in the Scottish Government. The Model Contract for Special Advisers, incorporating the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and the Civil Service Code, is publicly available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 44234).

Sport

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6388 by Stewart Maxwell on 26 November 2007, whether copies of the correspondence with all those from whom he has sought views on the future of sportscotland will be published prior to a decision being made.

Stewart Maxwell: It would not be appropriate to publish copies of correspondence from stakeholders prior to a decision being made.

Sport

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6388 by Stewart Maxwell on 26 November 2007, whether copies of the correspondence to all those from whom he has sought views on the future of sportscotland will be published.

Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-6388 on 26 November 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Sport

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6388 by Stewart Maxwell on 26 November 2007, whether an analysis of responses to correspondence from the Minister for Communities and Sport on the future of sportscotland will be published prior to a decision being made.

Stewart Maxwell: An analysis of responses will not be published prior to a decision being made.

Traffic

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5931 by Stewart Stevenson on 12 November 2007, what the projected traffic growth is for the two stretches of road from 2004 to 2014.

Stewart Stevenson: The traffic growth rate between Mollinsburn to Auchenkilns is expected to be approximately 2.9% per annum, and at a rate of 2.3% per annum between Auchenkilns to Haggs. These rates of growth are based on projections to the year 2025 using local transport models that utilise estimates based on a national strategic model.

Voluntary Sector

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is being given to supporting volunteers as a result of the strategic spending review.

Jim Mather: Our decisions in the Scottish Budget recognise the existing contribution of third sector organisations, including voluntary and volunteer-involving organisations, and the potential for their entrepreneurial dynamism to contribute to transformational change across the Scottish Government’s five strategic objectives. We fully recognise the vital role of individual volunteers. Over £93 million is being invested in the third sector during the Spending Period and discussions on how organisations will be able to access these funds will begin shortly.